I have witnessed this in progress at the following places while held illegally for a case that was dreamed up by the police and which was subsequently thrown out by the court: the Immigration Department detention centre, police cells and the Bangkok "Special" Prison.

Of course, it is very difficult to actually prove to others what goes on behind closed doors, as those in charge will never permit investigations, will never answer with the truth, and will ridicule anyone who tells what they have seen. There is also great danger for anyone who is known to have information or evidence.

Torture is common in the following forms and there are undoubtedly more: Beating of Burmese prisoners; the rape and sale of the young women; occasional acts against individuals that are far worse than "waterboarding" - a plastic bag over the head, handcuffs very tight on wrists and ankles, in which about six officers, supervised by a senior, beat the cuffs with their batons; beatings for prolonged periods with batons, repeated after intervals and the next day; guns stuck in the mouth with a threat to kill; no medical treatment.

In other cases the beatings are carried out by the officers' "sub-contractors" so that they have less chance of any action being taken against them. In police stations, Burmese are kept in dark rooms with no ventilation or light and very little, if anything, to eat. I could go on forever with what I have seen but no one would believe me.

The Thai authorities are ruthless and barbaric. Of course there is no torture in Thailand - just like every other myth about the place. Unless we admit the truth and take severe action against all those who are ruining this country in the eyes of the world, no one will want to come here or invest here. -The Nation/ANN